Vel Phillips Middle School MEP Design
The Oshkosh Area School District recognized the need to construct a new middle school to support increased enrollment at both Merrill and Webster Stanley Middle schools. The solution conjoins the student bodies of these facilities into one unified modern campus: Vel Phillips Middle School.
The new Vel Phillips Middle School spans 229,700 square feet — ample space to accommodate its 800+ students, with room for the student body to continue to grow and thrive. With a soaring student commons space, plentiful natural light, smart technology, and energy efficiency, the new campus incorporates design elements from both prior middle schools into a state-of-the-art learning environment.
Photo courtesy of Bray Architects
MSA was asked to lead mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), and fire protection design for the project thanks to a long-standing relationship with architectural partner, Bray Architects, and a successful history of delivering MEP design for other Oshkosh Area School District projects.
MSA’s mechanical (HVAC) components included hot water heating and chilled water-cooling systems, numerous indoor variable air volume (VAV) air handling systems, dust collection system for the tech-ed/wood lab area, and individual temperature controls for each classroom and office. Electrical design included integrated LED lighting throughout, a facility security system with key fob-accessed secure entrances, emergency lockdown capabilities, and cameras, wiring for TV monitors in classrooms, and a dedicated sound system for the school commons-area stage.
Plumbing work included fire sprinkler and alarm systems, kitchen and bathroom plumbing fixtures, and the incorporation of dual-level water fountains with bottle fillers throughout. MSA also provided comprehensive site lighting for the parking lot as well as electrical and lighting design for the school’s outdoor information display board.
Vel Phillips Middle School was completed in the summer of 2023 and ready to welcome students into its halls for the 2023-2024 school year. The community, school district, student body, and project partners celebrated with a school dedication and open house on September 17, 2023 — the perfect opportunity to celebrate the bright future that lies ahead.
Contact Project Lead
Laura Gilbert, PE
Electrical Engineering Team Leader
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MoreNeenah High School
Neenah High School is a stunning new 455,600-square-foot facility located on an expansive, 225-acre property that stands as a beacon of community educational growth, achievement, and opportunity.
In 2016 the Neenah Joint School District began assessing the condition of its facilities and their associated needs, recognizing that many of the district’s 13 school buildings were aging and in need of upgrades. After completion of a district-wide facilities study by Bray Architects, collecting important feedback from the community, and the passing of a substantial referendum in 2020, a groundbreaking for the new high school facility was held on June 10, 2021. The referendum supported the design and construction of a new high school on newly acquired land and the renovation of the existing high school into a middle school to accommodate the local 5-8-grade student population. Along with this plan was a determination to also address safety, security, and ADA shortcomings at all district facilities.
Bray Architects was chosen to lead architectural design for the new high school and asked MSA to provide all mechanical/HVAC, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) design for the project — with a focus on energy efficiency, sustainability, smart technology, and state-of-the-art performance.
A few highlights of MSA’s design include LED lighting throughout the school’s interior, which incorporates occupancy sensors for energy efficient use. The exterior also incorporates LED lighting that is controlled through the building’s automation system and an engaging color-changing lighting system to enhance a gathering space near the school auditorium. Integral to MSA’s design is a new geothermal heating and cooling system, comprised of a network of 374 wells dug 406 feet below the parking lot with a looping pipe system to deliver cool or warm air into the school as seasonally necessary.
MSA also contributed MEP design for accompanying school athletics areas including new football field and grandstands, four baseball fields, soccer field, tennis courts, and maintenance building.
After nearly seven years of planning, community input, and great anticipation, the school celebrated the grand opening of Neenah High School in August of 2023 in time to welcome students for the 2023-2024 school year.
